Public Affairs

Vigil For Fallen Officer Rod Bradway

The fountains around the grounds of the Eagle Pointe Apartments offer a sense of peace and serenity, but that was interrupted around 2 a.m. when 24-year-old Steven Byrdo shot and killed officer Rod Bradway who was responding to a domestic disturbance call.

"(My son) woke me and told me that he heard gunshots going off and that there was an array of police officers out here," she said. "It was loaded out here with police officers."

"It was really heart wrenching thing," said Taylor.

Both Bradway and Brydo died.

Bradway is the first IMPD officer killed in the line of duty since 2011.

"There isn't any amount of training or planning or thinking that prepares you for when it occurs," said Fraternal Order of Police President Bill Owensby. ""There is a lot of shock and a lot of disbelief and a lot of pain associated with something like this."

A vigil will be held Friday at FOP Lodge 86 to remember the life and accomplishments of officer Bradway who was recently honored with a medal of bravery.

Owensby says the vigil will be the start of the healing process.

"There's an awful lot of community support for our officers. We find that out in situations like this," he said. "It's going to be good for them to see that they are not alone, that people care about them, and that there are things they can do to help ease the pain."

Friday’s vigil begins at 7:30 p.m.

Officer Bradway is survived by a wife and two children. He was 41-years old.